Harris suffers narrow defeat by world champion

Post date: Oct 11, 2016 9:49:43 AM

Stamford indoor bowler Stephen Harris came within inches of defeating world No.1 Nick Brett at the Lincoln Open singles at the weekend.

The current Northants Under 25 champion had beaten Bassetlaw's David Gascoigne instraight sets to earn a tilt at Brett, who competed in the Stamford Open singles last week and after winning the first of two seven-end sets 7-1, drew a maximum four shots in the second set to lead 5-4.

He dropped three on the next end and finally conceded the second set 6-7 before taking the first tie break end. Harris twice tickled the jack on the next but Brett levelled the scores.

In the decider Harris drew a back-toucher leaving Brett seeing only a slither of his target but playing three yards of weight, the man who defends his world title at Potters in January clipped the Harris bowl away to take the match.

Said Harris: "It was a great experience for me to play the world champion and I nearly had him! But at least he did admit that he was fortunate to win."

Brett went on to lose his next match to Lincoln's Sam Ashton who went in to take the top prize. Mike Ramsden and Tony Barwell from Stamford IBC both went out at the first round stage.

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Northants Bowling Federation's male bowlers retained bragging rights over their female counterparts by claiming another win in their annual clash under indoor surface conditions at Stamford IBC.

However, there were some notable achievements by the women on the day, none more so than a second successive rink triumph by president Joan Robinson over her opposite number Bob Warters.

Paired with Jenny Harvey, Moira Holroyd and Margaret Bloxham they pummelled the Warters' rink of Jack Corney, Mick Humphreys and current county under 25 singles champion Stephen Harris 28-15 with a display of outstanding drawing and conversion shots.

Said Warters: " I would love to say it was a diplomatic defeat but it was far from that. The ladies outbowled us and thoroughly deserved their win."

There were also a number of light-hearted moments including Cliff Watson's rink, conceding a maximum 'hot shot' eight on the fourth end against Christine Ford's quartet of June Brennan, Jess Phillips and Margaret Andrews.

Fortunately for the victims, the incident almost went undetected. Almost but not quite!

President Warters completes his two-year term of office at the annual meeting of the Federation at Peterborough IBC on October 19 (7.30pm) when he is succeeded by Whittlesey Manor's Tony Mace, whose wife Rita joins him as NWBF president at the Women's agm at the same venue on November 2.

All affiliated men's clubs are entitled to upto two delegate votes and are recommended to attend.

Result

Friendly (at Stamford IBC) : Northants Women's Bowling Federation 75 Northants Bowling Federation 187. (NWBF names first) C Hunter, P Collicott, P Birch, S Moir lost to J Holroyd, F Richardson, M Duell, N Wright 12-32; J Brennan, J Phillips, M Andrews, C Ford lost to R Stevens, J Little, P Buckley, C Watson 15-26; L Barr, R Mace, C Warters, V Du'Kett lost to T Mace, D Ford, H Shipp, G Agger 4-42; J Harvey, J Robinson, M Bloxham, M Holroyd beat J Corney, M Humphreys, S Harris, B Warters 28-15; F Richardson, J Bourne, L Hext, S Craig lost to D Hudson, M Beck, B Lawrence, J Harford 12-32; K Browning, G King, M Linnell, P O'Brien lost M Ramsden, M Greaves, P Dalliday, S Law 6-38.

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Aiming to emulate an earlier win this season in the county league, Stamford IBC play Boston on Saturday, October 22 (10am), two rinks at home and two away.

Teams: Home - D Hudson, C Watson, D Want, P Edwards; S Harris, M Humphreys, J Earl, M Dolby. Away - J Holroyd, A Barnes, B Warters, Roger Martin; R Allam, D King, A Warrington, P Bailey.

The following day (Oct 23), Stamford A visit Sleaford in the county first division, while the B team entertains Louth A from the third division.